Duterte’s Return to Philippines Falsely Reported in Manipulated News Clip

A false news clip circulating on social media has deceived thousands of viewers into believing that former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has returned to his home country from detention in The Netherlands, investigation reveals.

The manipulated video, which has garnered over 571,000 views and hundreds of shares since being posted on November 22, splices together footage from a GMA Network Balitanghali news broadcast in a misleading manner. The edited 15-second clip shows anchors Raffy Tima and Connie Sison appearing to report Duterte’s return to the Philippines.

In the doctored footage, Sison states, “Breaking news. Former president Rodrigo Duterte has returned to the country after—” before Tima continues, “He was greeted at the airport by several Philippine National Police officers along with Interpol.”

Fact-checking reveals this video was deliberately altered to remove critical context. The original news segment, broadcast in March, actually covered Duterte’s return from a trip to Hong Kong, not from ICC detention. The edited clip strategically removed Sison’s mention of “Hong Kong” to create the false impression that Duterte had been released from ICC custody.

The timing of the manipulated video is particularly notable, as it began circulating just days before the International Criminal Court appeals chamber formally denied Duterte’s request for interim release. Despite this ruling, the misleading video continues to spread across social media platforms.

Duterte has been detained in The Hague, Netherlands since March 12, facing charges of crimes against humanity related to his controversial war on drugs campaign during his presidency. Human rights groups have reported that nearly 30,000 individuals were victims of extrajudicial killings during this period.

The ICC appeals chamber, led by Peruvian Judge Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza, recently rejected Duterte’s request for temporary release. The five-person chamber determined that conditions proposed by Duterte’s legal team were insufficient to address key risk factors associated with interim release, including the possibility of evading prosecution, potentially recommitting similar offenses, or interfering with ongoing investigations.

This incident highlights the persistent challenge of misinformation surrounding high-profile legal cases. Social media users are encouraged to verify information through official channels and legitimate news sources, particularly when claims involve significant developments in international criminal proceedings.

The circulation of such misleading content underscores the importance of media literacy in an era where video manipulation technology makes it increasingly difficult to distinguish authentic news from fabricated content. Fact-checking organizations continue to play a crucial role in identifying and debunking false information before it can significantly impact public understanding of important events.

As Duterte’s case proceeds at the ICC, authorities urge vigilance against similar misinformation that may emerge regarding his legal status or whereabouts.